Wednesday, 11 August 2010

We've received yet another letter from the council about Asda's latest plans - namely a new public seating area [end of Cromford Road] and a recycling area.

Now, I'm all for recycling - we do our bit religiously, this is why I'm able to tell people when the recycling bins on Cromford Road have been set fire to. These bins are not a million miles away from Asda's newly proposed recycling site near their petrol station.

While I commend Asda [along with most supermarkets] for taking an initiative in recycling, I do take umbrage at their assumption that we don't recycle already - both at home and in the aforementioned slightly singed and melted bins.

Asda say in their latest proposal ... and I quote: "Adding the recycling area to the site will aid Langley Mill to become more environmentally friendly". If these smart arse planners were to nip down to our unenvironmentally friendly Langley Mill, they may have noticed our top of the range, colour coded recycling bins already in situ.

But, yes I get it, most people who recycle on a large scale do it on their supermarket trip - unlike us who have all on remembering our shopping bags. I often stand shuffling my feet at the checkout in Morrisons, asking apologetically for wafer thin carrier bags ... because my super strong, arm-wrenching, industrial sized shopping bags are sat in the middle of the kitchen floor, where I'd put them moments before leaving the house [yes I probably did trip over them on my way out - it's an age thing].

Of course, receiving this latest letter from the council about Asda's planned recycling area, made me think about the tin-pot recycling system we put up with now.

Our council DEMANDS that we recycle our household rubbish [washed they don't want mucky recycling], using the crappy yellow and orange tubs [complete with drainage holes in the bottoms]. For some reason they don't want to collect our plastic ... which is odd because most households seem to have more plastic than other recycling. I can only assume that because it's light but often bulky, it would be cutting into profits - so we go on burying it in landfill sites where it lasts - well a lot longer than we do.

And before Asda think they're getting off scot free in this little moan, think again - if they and the other supermarkets insisted that less crap was used in packaging - I'm sure they're in a position to do this - there wouldn't be so much rubbish [recyclable or not] in the first place, and then they needn't be so smug when applying for planning permission to have a recycling area to 'aid us peasants to be more environmentally friendly'. Yes, I do admit that sentence got right up my nose.

My parents, sisters and niece [three different councils] each have two full sized bins with a couple of exciting new innovations installed on them as standard ... lids and wheels. They aren't expected to sort through their recycling [although doing so doesn't bother me], it is collected on a fortnightly basis after being wheeled to the required place - they don't have to struggle with blue bags of sopping wet paper [complete with several generations of slugs and snails], orange bags of cardboard that have mysteriously quadrupled in weight [because of the same rain that wet the paper], or squelch back into the house with cat food scented jeans and socks, because when you've carried the recycling bin to the street - you find there's always one tin that's tipped up to dribble fishy water down your leg.

Well, not me obviously - but I've heard the grumpy old man muttering about it ...

March 2011 Update:

Someone's nicked our recycling bins on Cromford Road - and Asda hasn't started recycling yet. Not very good is it council? We're overflowing with plastic here. Bring them Back!

But did you actually read this post before deciding to comment? I didn't at any point say that I didn't want more recycling bins, I said I was a bit miffed [or words to that effect] at one sentence in the application for the recycling bins, and I quote yet again - just for you: "Adding the recycling area to the site will aid Langley Mill to become more environmentally friendly".

It probably isn't even the whole sentence that I found irritating, it was just the one word 'become' - it infers that we - as a community - don't know what recycling is. If the sentence had read: "Adding the recycling area to the site will aid Langley Mill to continue being environmentally friendly". I'd have been very happy ...

We also recycle in our town. I try to keep my 3 bins fresh (although the compostable one is a bit of a lost cause). My neighbour however has maggots writhing all over her non-recyclable bin and when it overflows she takes it upon herself to put her surplus in my clean bin!We have a fairly new Asda near us with its bins beside the filling station. I have to admit to liking it that way as I can shop, fill my tank and recycle all in one trip. I totally agree with you about the packaging.

Yes, I think it’s a good idea to recycle when you go shopping, but unfortunately my mind is so full up with trying to remember what I need [means of paying, trolley coin doo dah, list, what I forgot to put on the list, bags], that I never think to take our recycling when we go to Morrisons, we actually pass where I store it - outside the back door, just after the forgotten shopping bags in the kitchen.

I wish I was more organized, but I can't see it happening any time soon ... but you never know, when we go to shop at our soon to be Asda, and I'm near enough to run back home for my forgotten shopping bags - yes I realise that last sentence was unrealistic - I may spot the recycling and take it back with me ...

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About Me and Myself

I've reached the age now where I've got an opinion on just about everything and I don't mind sharing it. In fact everyone has the right to my opinion! I, ahem, look YEARS younger than my sister [I've just put this bit in for her benefit as she's bound to read it] who is 7 years younger than me - but I have been well preserved [alcohol] and I'm extremely idle. I've been known to make the odd card or two but recently got a tad bored with crafting. Considering how much this particular hobby has cost me so far I'd better get 'unbored' pretty damn quick! I have a penchant for using long words that just pop into my head, this is essential as I'm now losing small words at an exceedingly alarming rate ...

The Dummies Guide To Reading My Blog

I realise that most of my readers fall into two categories ... they're either technologically challenged or of a crumbly age ... or indeed both.

Therefore I decided to be kind - because I can be - and create a little guide, which I can add to if I think of anything new or if someone questions something.

I also realise that none of my crumblier readers venture anywhere near this informative side bit of the page, thus making this guide a complete waste of my time.But I'm nothing if not dogged and I can always say ... 'well my Dummies Guide tells you how to do that!'

Hmm, maybe I should put it at the top instead of the side, we'll see.

1) If you see a photo you would like a closer view of then click on it, it will take you to another page with a bigger picture. If you click on the photo it will enlarge. I can remember one crumbly friend trying to squint at the 'Christmas Menu' because she didn't know this.

2) If you come across some different coloured - underlined - writing [usually a lurid green] and I'm referring to another bit of my blog, again click on the writing as it's a direct link to that post.

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